Chapter 22


    AMBER is having her morning tea in the veranda while looking at the vast sky, it has been days and


    there is still no sign of Rafael, and the most devastating part is that they can’t even contact him.


    “Ma’am, you have a visitor.” Linda informed making her frown.


    “Who?” She asked, it is impossible that her visitor is Kaylee because thest time they talked to each


    other, she already submitted her resignation letter and she is now busy taking care of her father who is


    in the hospital.


    “Danielle Monteverde, ma’am.” Linda answered making her confused.


    “Danielle Monteverde?” She asked. “Why would she be here?” She mumbled. “Please tell her that I’ll


    be there, and please make some snacks.” She said and went back to her and Rafa’s room to change


    clothes as she is only wearing her pajamas.


    “Hello, I’m Danielle.” Danielle introduced her self and outstretch her hand. Amber epted and smiled,


    she unknowingly stared at Danielle’s not so big stomach. “I’m nearly on my second month.” She said


    as she caresses her stomach.


    Amber on the other hand, unknowingly caresses her stomach. “Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” She


    shyly said. “Please take a seat.”


    “I was shocked when I heard that Rafael got married, now I know why…”


    “Because I’m pregnant?” Amber cuts her off.


    “What? No… that’s not what I mean.” Danielle answered. “What I mean is that you are very beautiful.”


    “But that was not the reason why my husband married me.” She bitterly smiled.


    “I doubt it. I don’t know what really is happening between you two but you should know that Rafael’s


    been looking for you.” Danielle said making her confused. “Oh, I forgot to mention, I was Joshua’s


    secretary and I happen to heard it.”


    “Oh… I thought…” She didn’t get to finish what she is about to say since Berta entered with a tray in


    her hands. “It is good that youe and visit.”


    “Mom Althea tagged me along so that we can get to know each other.” Danielle answered. “I hope I


    didn’t bother you.”


    “No, it’s okay.” She smiled. “I’m sure that our husbands will be happy to know that we are getting


    along.”


    “I am still not tied to Joshua.” Danielle bitterly smiled. “We were supposed to ger married today but he


    postponed it. And until now he still didn’t call once.”


    “Rafa also didn’t call once.” She said and they both sighed. “Do you want to tour around the garden?”


    She asked so that they can rx.


    “Is it okay?” Danielle asked but there is a glitch of excitement in her eyes.


    “Of course.” She smiled. “I’m dure you will love it.”


    “Wow!” Danielle eximed in amusement. “Tita Allison’s garden is so beautiful and enchanting!”


    Danielle said. “Earlier, I kept blinking my eyes and pinching my cheeks to make sure that I’m awake not


    in a dream. The view is fascinating and enchanting at the same time.”


    “I actually had the same reaction, especially when we toured around the subdivision, I can’t even


    almost believe what I am seeing.” Amber said. They are nearing the center of the garden when Draco


    and Copper suddenly appeared out of nowhere.


    “Aww! They are so cute!” Danielle said as she pets the two dogs. “Are they your pets?”


    “Tita Allison’s pets. Draco is the husky one and the Labrador is Copper.” Amber said, and in an instant


    the two suddenly ran around again. “They are very adventurous, if they are nowhere to be found in the


    house or in the garden, then they are roaming around the subdivision.”


    “They are very lucky to have a wide yground.” Danielle said and sheughed when the two suddenly


    ran after a butterfly.


    “I’m really happy that mommy Althea tagged me along, at least I can see you again after how many


    years.” Danielle said when they are resting in the balcony.


    “You remember?” Amber uttered in surprise.


    “Of course.” Danielle smiled. “You’re in a different block that is why we seldom see each other in the


    hallways or in the cafeteria.” They are both schoolmates when they were in college—same course but


    different block.


    “Yes, and the first time we talked was about the approval of the n our block is having.” She added.


    Danielle is the president of their department so, she’s the one screening the proposals for every n of


    each block every school activity.


    “That school festival is the most memorable to me, we merge our ns and until now the memory is


    still fresh. I can’t help not tough at our victim’s reactions but in the end they all ended up together.”


    Danielle said andugh.


    It was their school festival and Danielle’s block decided to have a wedding booth, while their booth


    decided for a blind date.


    “If I’m not mistaken, we received a lot of harsh words in the process but as the blind date goes on, they


    were smitten by their partners and they proceeded to the wedding booth.” Amber said and slightly


    shook her head.


    “That’s right. And until now, I am having goosebumps every time I heard that everyone who went to our


    booth are now real boyfriends and girlfriends. Some are even married and the others are still


    preparing.” Danielle added.


    “Really? Wow!” Amber uttered in surprised. “Did we just be a cupid?” She asksughing. “So that


    means, Sir Monde and Ma’am Francisco also got together?” She asks when she remembered the two


    instructors who are single at that time and they all set them up.


    “Yes.” Danielle answered andughed. “They are now married, blessed with a bouncy baby boy.”


    “Wow!” She said in amusement.


    “And thinking back, it is great that we didn’t join the craze or else, we might not be here.” Danielle said


    making her smile.


    “You had a point there.” She said and they bothughed.


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    AMBER woke up by her ringing phone, thinking that it was Rafael, she immediately answered it without


    checking who the caller is.


    “Rafa? Where are you?” She asked in sleepy but worried tone.


    “So, it is really true that you are married to Rafael Anderson, Miss Santiago.” A familiar voice said


    making her woke her senses up. Even without checking who the caller is, she already knew who it is.


    “Mister Lim…”


    “How are you, Miss Santiago?” He asked, and even if she can’t see him, she knew that he is grinning.


    “I’ve been thinking how did you manage to get that two million but now it has been answered. You are


    married to a very rich and influential man.”


    “What do you need?” She coldly asked.


    “Watch your tone, Miss Santiago.” He warned. “Remember that you still have a remaining three million


    debt.”


    “I know, Mister Lim but I still have less than two months to pay, so why are you calling me?” She asked,


    trying to act tough.


    “I am collecting your bnce, Miss Santiago—or should I say Mrs. Anderson.” He answered making


    her frown. “I’m sure you will not have a hard time to pay me now, right?”


    “That’s absurd!” She said. “Rafael and I were married but I don’t have the right toy my hands on his


    wealth!” She added. “And why are you collecting now? I still have less than two months to pay!”


    “I have the right to collect any time and any day, Mrs. Anderson!” He warned. “If you can’t pay me now,


    then I have no choice but to call your husband.”


    “Y..you can’t do that.” She stuttered.


    “Oh, yes, I can, Mrs. Anderson.” He said. “In fact, I already called him, it is unfortunate that he cannot


    be reached as of the moment.” He added making her eyes wide open.


    With shaking hands, Amber ends the call and immediately dialled Rafael’s number and it was still really


    out of reach. She tried to calm her self and breathe deeply. She must reach Rafael first before Mister


    Lim does, but how?


    “Linda, where is mommy?” Amber asked when she saw the helper wiping the table.


    “They went out but they said that they will be backter.”


    “Is that so…” She sighed and make her some milk.


    “Ma’am, what do you want for breakfast?” Linda asked.


    “Pancake, please.” She answered when she saw the pancake mix in the drawer. “Just bring it in the


    veranda. Thank you.”


    Amber went to the veranda holding her cup of milk. She can see that Copper and Draco are happily


    ying near the pond. She slightly shook her head as she watches the two, it is still early in the


    morning and they are already out there ying.


    Her eyes wandered around the garden and saw the Mang Tirso, the gardener with an unfamiliar man.


    The gardener is going there every other day to tend the nts and he would always tag along his son


    when he has no ss.


    “Ma’am, here is your pancake.” Linda said and ce the te in front of her.


    “Oh, thank you.” She said. “Do you know who is that man with Mang Tirso?” She asked.


    “Ah, that is Julian. He’s been looking for a job and the madam hired him. It is his fourth day today.”


    Linda answered as she stares at Julian who is trimming the bushes. “Isn’t he hot and handsome,


    ma’am?” Linda added making her shock.


    “Linda!” She uttered in horror, but she can’t help not tough seeing the helpers oozing eyes. “Do you


    like him?” She asked making her blush. “Ooh! You like him.” She teased.


    “M..ma’am, tone down your voice… he might hear us.” Linda said being flustered, and she can’t help


    not tough.


    “Why don’t you ask him out?” Amber suggested making the helper more flustered.


    “He is way beyond out of my reach.” Linda said, it seems that she’s really infatuated to Julian.


    “I can help you with him, if you want.” She asked.


    “There’s no need, ma’am.” Linda said making her confused. “I already have a boyfriend.” She said,


    smiling wide. Happiness can be seen through her eyes.


    “Eh? What?” She uttered in surprise, nearly dropping her fork. “You have a boyfriend and yet your eyes


    are oozing around the new gardener?”


    “I can’t help it, ma’am.” Linda said grinning from ear to ear. “Julian is hot and sexy.” She giggled, and


    Amber also cannot help not to giggle seeing the helper like this.


    “Excuse me, ma’am, but there is a phone call from the guard house.” Berta said interrupting them. “A


    certain Mister Shin Lim is asking for you.” She said making her pale. “Should we let him in?”


    “N... no! I don’t know that person.” She said. The two helpers looked at her suspiciously but they


    remained silent. She wiped the bullets of cold sweat on her forehead and tried to remain calm.


    “I will tell the guards not to let him in, then.” Berta said.


    “P…please do so.” Amber said, before Berta and Linda leaves.


    After a while, she was startled when her phone rang and it was no other than Shin Lim.


    “What do you want?” She asked trying to act tough.


    “You cannot run away from me, Mrs. Anderson.” He threatens before cutting the line.